One door closes another opens for Taylor

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Clinton Taylor has closed the winter campaign for stable star Chinny Boom but is now hopeful his hot form continues with stable mates Viennawaitsforyou and Bush Diamond who clash at Mackay on Tuesday.

Viennawaitsforyou and Bush Diamond are both resuming in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap over 1110 metres.

Taylor has been in excellent form of late, training three winners at Rockhampton on Saturday, while Chinny Boom faded to finish ninth in the Group 2 Dane Ripper and Astapor ran a courageous fourth in the Listed Oxlade Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Taylor declared it was mission accomplished for Chinny Boom who was sent to Brisbane with the aim of winning black-type.

“We sent her down to Brisbane hoping to win black-type and she did that when she won the (Listed) Coughlan Stakes at Eagle Farm,” Taylor said.

“The track was too hard for her on Saturday but she’s done her job and she’ll go to the paddock now.”

Taylor has a big opinion of Astapor who tried valiantly to lead all the way when beaten just over two lengths by the Annabel Neasham-trained Megastar Heart.

“He’s a very promising horse who was thrown in at the deep end and did a great job,” Taylor said.

“He ran a super race and the stable is kicking along well with three winners at home last Saturday.”

Meanwhile, Taylor will now focus his attention on Mackay and has given punters a lead by favouring Bush Diamond, who jumps from barrier two, ahead of Viennawaitsforyou, who drew gate nine, in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap.

Bush Diamond has won three of his eight starts and is having his first start since finishing second to Dragon’s Snip in a 1100 metre three-years-old race at Callaghan Park on January 16.

Viennawaitsforyou was formerly trained by Kelly Schweida in Brisbane and is unbeaten in two starts for Taylor including her last appearance at Townsville on February 1.

“Viennawaitsforyou is going to get better when the trips get further out in distance while little Bush Diamond has had a good spell and is always around the money,” Taylor said.

“Viennawaitsforyou will head to the Rockhampton carnival and she’ll be aimed at the Rockhampton Guineas over a mile.

“QTIS is about to end in August so we’ll just keep chasing the QTIS prize money with Bush Diamond.

“There’s not much between these two and a lot will depend on luck in running, but I’m leaning slightly to Bush Diamond from the two alley.”

Justin Stanley will ride Viennawaitsforyou on Tuesday.